Testing device



' Jan. 22, 1929. 1,699,771

N. A, WAHLBERG TESTINGDEVICE Filed April 8, 1924 Fig.2.

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

U i '1 e T ES PATENT OFFICE.

NILS A. WAI-ILBERG, F WILKINSB'UBG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC dz MANUFACTURING TVA MIA.

corrrnnv, A CORPORATION or PENNSYL- TESTING DEVICE.

Application filed April 8,

. ing insulators of different voltage ratings.

A further objectof my invention is to so facilitate and improve the operation of testing liiglrvoltage insulators as to materially increase the number of insulators that may be tested in a given time. a

In practicing my invention, I provide an insulating link or ring that is suspended from a bus-bar by a metal device that constitutes botha support for the ring and an arc-assuming member which cooperates with a second arc-assuming member that is adj ustably mounted on the ring. The elements are constructed and related to provide a device of substantially the utmost simplicity and economy, in addition to consisting of substantially a minimum number of parts that are ex tremely easy to manipulate.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a side elevational view of an arc-gap-testing device constructed in accordance with my invention, showing also a portion of a bus-bar and of a conducting lead or chain for cooperation therewith, and

Fig. 2 is a view, partially in section and partially in elevation, taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

The device comprises, in general, an upper metal-clip structure 1 mounted on a bus-bar 2, an insulating link ormember 3, of closedloop or ring shape, suspended from the structure 1 and a lower metal structure 1 suspend-V ed from the insulating member 3.

The insulating link or member 3, which may be of rectangular, curvilinear, oval or any other suitable shape and constructed of any suitable insulating material, is preferably of ring shape having rectangular crosssectional area and constructed of porcelain. A link of the latter construction is particu- 1924. Serial No. 704,986.

larly economical and effective, especially when employed for testing porcelain insulators because it may be constructed of the same material as the insulators undervtest and at the same factory. The rectangular cross-section facilitates the handling of the ring during manufacture, simplifies the construction and assembly of the metalv structures 1 and d thereon and assists in maintaining the parts in adjusted position. Being of ring shape, the portions thereof that extend between the metal structures 1 and 4 are lat.- erally spaced from an arcing path between the structures. The upper metal structure 1 comprises a clip 5 of substantially U-shape embracing the ring 3 and a second clip 6 of inverted substantially U-shape embracing the bus'bar 2 and having its free ends overlapping the free ends of the clip 5. A screwbolt provided with a nut 8, extends through openings in the clips 5 and 6 to clamp. the

clip 5 in position on the ring 1 and the clip (5 on the bar 2. A sphere or other arc-assuming portion or member-9 is secured tothe clip 5, as by a screw 10.

The lower. metal structure 4 comprisesoa clip 11 of invertedsubstantially U-shape embracing the ring 3 and having slots 12 in the legs 14: thereof. A screw bolt 15, provided with a wing nut 16, extends through the slots 12 to adjustably clamp the metal structure 4: in proper position relative to the structure 1 on the ring 3. An arc-assuming member 17 similar to the member 9, may be similarly se cured to the clip 11 by a screw 18. A chain 19, constituting a flexible conducting lead for extension to an insulator or other device to be tested, is secured to a hollow sleeve 20 that extends between the legs of the clip 11 and is held in position by a screw bolt 21 and a nut 22.

The bus-bar 2 is preferably of sufficient length to receive several of the abovedescribed testing devices and is disposed,

above a table or rack for the reception of one insulator at a time beneath each device. In-

to the ground plate beneath the insulator. Breakdown across the gap between the spheres 9 and 17 indicates that the insulator has fulfilled the required test, otherwise the insulator breaks down and is rejected.

By my invention, an exceedingly simple, effective and economical testing device is provided that lowers the cost of manufacture and facilitates the rapid testing of large numbers of insulators.

While I have shown and described a particular form of my invention, changes may be effected therein Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

' I'claim as my invention:

1. A high-voltage testing device comprising anupper supporting member, an annular insulating element having flat annular sides, means including a portion of substantially U-shape clamped against said sides for suspending the element from said member, an arcing terminal on said means, means including a portion of substantially U-shape clamped against said sides for suspending a flexible conductor from the element and an arcing terminal on, and a flexible conductor dependingfrom, said second suspending means. a

2. A high-voltage testing device comprising an upper supporting member, an annular insulating element having flat annular sides, means including a portion of substantially U-shape clamped against said sides for suspending the element from said member, an arcing terminal on said means, means including a portion of substantially U-shape clamped against said sides for suspending a flexible conductor from the element, an arcing terminal on, and a flexible conductor depending from, said second suspending means, one of said portions of U-shape having longitudinal slots in the legs thereof and a clamping member extending through said slots whereby one of said terminal portions may be adjusted relatii e to the other.

3. A high-voltage testing device comprising an annular insulating element, means at tachable to any part thereof for supporting thesame, an. arcing terminal mounted on said attaching means and a second arcing terminal attachable to any part of said annular element for cooperation with said first arcing element.

4. A highvoltage testing device comprising a porcelain ring of solid rectangular perimetral crosssection throughout, means including a member of substantially U-shape for embracing the ring at any portion thereof in clamping relation against the radial sides thereof for suspending the same from an upper support, an arcing terminal supported inside the ring on said member of U-shape, a second member of substantially U-shape for embracing the ring at any portion thereof and clamping relation against the radial sides thereof, and a second arcin terminal supported inside said ring on said second member of U'shape for cooperation with said first arcing terminal.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 3lst day of March,

NILS A. WAHLBERG. 

